OSHA finds violations at St. Cloud veterans facility

St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Health Care System facility faces 19 health and safety violations after an OSHA inspection that was part of an en­­forcement campaign that targeted federal agencies.

OSHA inspectors found eight repeat safety violations for such hazards as inadequate guardrails, blocked exit routes and failure to protect workers against electrical shocks. They also uncovered lax compliance with procedures designed to ensure that dangerous equipment wasn’t accidentally activated while employees were conducting maintenance.

Inspectors found two repeat health violations: failing to properly record data about needles that could cause blood-borne illnesses and failing to train housekeeping staff about asbestos hazards in their work areas.

All the violations had been identified at other veterans’ facilities within the past five years.